The inform explores the implementation of the migration-development nexus across the EMN Member Countries and Serbia and provides a comprehensive overview of national policies and initiatives that integrate the migration-development nexus at both strategic and operational levels. It highlights various approaches among countries, while emphasizing cooperation through bilateral and multilateral partnerships with third-country partners. The inform covers initiatives from 2019 to 2023 and discusses best practices and challenges encountered by countries in applying this nexus.
The inform provides an overview of different national approaches. Some countries, like Belgium, Germany, France, and Italy, have dedicated strategies focusing specifically on the migration-development nexus. In contrast, others incorporate it into broader national development or migration strategies. For example, fifteen EMN Member Countries include these links in their development cooperation strategies, while ten address them in migration policies. These approaches generally focus on sustainable tackling of the root causes of irregular migration, fostering regular migration, improving migration governance structures, voluntary return and reintegration, diaspora engagement, and raising awareness on the migration-development nexus. To facilitate implementation, six EMN Member Countries have established coordination structures like joint platforms and working groups, enhancing stakeholder collaboration.
The geographical priorities for these initiatives are mainly in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the Sahel and the Greater Horn of Africa, but also extend to the Middle East, North Africa, Eastern Partnership countries, and parts of Latin and Central America. Funding for the migration-development nexus is often a mix of national and EU resources, with national development cooperation funding being the most commonly used source. While most countries monitor these initiatives through general mechanisms, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, and the Netherlands have dedicated monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
The inform highlights best practices, including effective coordination among stakeholders, the inclusion of migrants, diaspora, and partner countries in program implementation and design, and clear strategic guidelines and indicators. However, challenges like coordination difficulties, access to funding, and political sensitivities remain.
For more details, the EMN inform "Migration and Development Cooperation" is available in the Publications section.